Determination of the in vivo effects of prednisone on Bcl-2 family protein expression in childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia

  • Authors:
    • F. Casale
    • R. Addeo
    • V. D'Angelo
    • P. Indolfi
    • V. Poggi
    • C. Morgera
    • S. Crisci
    • M. T. Di Tullio
  • View Affiliations

  • Published online on: January 1, 2003     https://doi.org/10.3892/ijo.22.1.123
  • Pages: 123-128
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Abstract

Glucocorticoid resistance is often associated with treatment failure in children with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL) but the underlying molecular mechanisms are still unclear. In 30 consecutive children with ALL treated with prednisone we determined changes in the expression of Bcl-2, Bax and Bcl-xl proteins in leukemic lymphoblasts and related these to clinical features and rate of prednisone-induced apoptosis. The apoptotic index increased after prednisone therapy in 24 of the 30 patients. At diagnosis, we detected expression of Bcl-2 and Bcl-xl protein in 28 samples, while Bax expression protein was detected in 21 of the 30 patients. Prednisone treatment induced a decrease in Bcl-2 and Bcl-xl levels in 17 and 16 of the 28 patients, respectively, while Bax protein increased in 14 of the 21 patients. Twenty of the 30 patients studied were considered to be good prednisone responders, whereas 10 were poor responders. We observed a statistically significant decrease only for Bcl-xl protein expression in T phenotype ALL, in the poor responder group and in patients with >20000/mm3 white cell count (WBC) at diagnosis. These data suggest a role of Bcl-xl in the mechanisms of protection of leukemic cells from apoptosis induced by glucocorticoids (GCs).

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January 2003
Volume 22 Issue 1

Print ISSN: 1019-6439
Online ISSN:1791-2423

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Spandidos Publications style
Casale F, Addeo R, D'Angelo V, Indolfi P, Poggi V, Morgera C, Crisci S and Di Tullio MT: Determination of the in vivo effects of prednisone on Bcl-2 family protein expression in childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Int J Oncol 22: 123-128, 2003
APA
Casale, F., Addeo, R., D'Angelo, V., Indolfi, P., Poggi, V., Morgera, C. ... Di Tullio, M.T. (2003). Determination of the in vivo effects of prednisone on Bcl-2 family protein expression in childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia. International Journal of Oncology, 22, 123-128. https://doi.org/10.3892/ijo.22.1.123
MLA
Casale, F., Addeo, R., D'Angelo, V., Indolfi, P., Poggi, V., Morgera, C., Crisci, S., Di Tullio, M. T."Determination of the in vivo effects of prednisone on Bcl-2 family protein expression in childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia". International Journal of Oncology 22.1 (2003): 123-128.
Chicago
Casale, F., Addeo, R., D'Angelo, V., Indolfi, P., Poggi, V., Morgera, C., Crisci, S., Di Tullio, M. T."Determination of the in vivo effects of prednisone on Bcl-2 family protein expression in childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia". International Journal of Oncology 22, no. 1 (2003): 123-128. https://doi.org/10.3892/ijo.22.1.123